Universal exerciser



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 1963 nn-raw Dec. 22, 1964 1.. KARLIK 3,162,442

UNIVERSAL EXERCISER Filed Nov. 22, 1963 2 sheets sheet 2 United States Patent 3,162,442 UNIWRSAL EXERQISER Laddie Karlht, 41% E. 163ml 512, Bronx, NY. Filed Nov. 22, I963, Ser. No. 326,332 19 Qlairns. (Cl. 272-89) The present invention is a continuation in part of the parent case carved out of a pending application Serial No. 6,210, filed February 2, 1960, and which consist in a universal exercising device adapted as a sport, entertainment, special professional trainin or for physical therapy to assist encouragement of bodily function in an easier, elastic and relaxed way, for example in reestablishing use of lame limbs, which the patient cannot lift by his own strength to restore impaired walking or in training athletes to run more eificiently. It can be used by a bed patient who can take exercise while lying in bed, and in hydrogymnastics, for example by infantile paralysis patients. In such use the movement of the limbs will be either helped and made easier or resisted so as to develop more strength.

FIGURE 1 shows an elevation of the exerciser in accordance with the invention partially in vertical section taken approximately on the line 1-1 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view illustrating another arrangement of the exerciser.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 3-3 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 4 through 8 are schematic pictorial views illustrating different ways in which the exerciser is used.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged detail view illustrating an adjustment or the cord.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged detail illustrating the at taohments of a foot stirrup 26, provided with straps 2'7 and fitting 23 with a pulley 29, adapted to go under the sole, around the ankle and shinbone or with other suitable securing means.

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURES 1 and 2 but shown with different cornection of the components by two separate cords.

In FIGURE 3 the base 1 is shown as divided with a partition 4 in two parallel frames 2 and 3 either as one piece or it can be suitably secured together, for example by welding. The first frame 2 comprises a peripheral portion 5 in which is set a buoyant member comprising an inflatable rubber block, a plastic panel of a cellular flotation material or a pad of a pliable flotation material as kapok to provide lightweight, buoyant resilient yet firm cushion contact with the body without being hard. The buoyant member may be comprised of an inflatable rubber block and a pad of pliable flotation material. The second frame 3 comprises a peripheral portion provided with a removable cover 6 enclosing a space between the cover and the back partition 4 and provided with springs 15, 16, 17, received in suitable snap hooks 18. The partition 4 serves as a support to carry pivots provided with pulleys 26 on the lower corner and pulleys 2.1 on the upper corner ends, said pivots of which can be further supported by said cover 6.

The base or supporting structure 1 is provided with securing means to attach the base to the trunk of the user and comprises an upper strap 7 and a lower strap 3 made preferably of webbing, each of the straps being provided with a buckle 9 as adjustment of the length of the straps so that the supporting structure is securely held in place. There are also two shoulder straps or hands 19 attached by suitable slits to the upper portion of the frame 2 made also of webbing and having Clasps 11 for adjusting the length as desired.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged detail view illustrating an adjustment of the cord 22 to suit different persons and different exercise. For this purpose the line 22 is provided on each end with a fitting 30 and in order to run over the pulleys, the fitting is preferably made of leather lined with canvas and provided with holes for the cord, the end of the cord being stuck first through the tube hole then through the second hole and passing under the fitting then through the third hole and passing over the fitting, then passing over one of the frame pulleys 21 as shown in FIGURE 2, then it is stuck through the knots on the straps 24 over the wrists and through the knots on the supporting elastic straps 25 over the palms, through knots on the straps 24 over the wrists then passing back over the frame pulley 21 and finally the end of the cord is stuck through the fourth hole of the fitting 30 whereas the cord is doubled back and secured by a suitable fastener. The fitting grips the line and stays in whatever position it is set. The fittings can suitably be made also of metal or plastic.

The handgrips 23 are attached around the wrists with straps 24 and buckles or other suitable securing means and to the palms with elastic straps 25, said straps being provided with knots to receive and hold in place the line 22 so that the hands and fingers can by the exercise move freely.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the cord 22 passes from one of the handgrips 23 through the knots of the straps 24, 25, over one of the frame pulleys 20, over pulley 12 on one of the side springs 15', through one of the cord fittings 33, over pulley 29 on one of the stirrup fittings 28, over pulley 19 on the intermediate spring 16, over pulley 29 on the other stirrup fitting 28, through the other cord fitting 36, over pulley 19 of the other side spring 17, over the other frame pulley 20 and thence through the knots on straps 24, 25 of the other handgrip 23. The cord 22 movably actuates therewith by the handgrips 23 and stirrups 26 respectively the springs 15, 16, 17 by the means of the frame pulleys 2i) and 21 respectively, spring pulleys 19 and stirrup pulleys 29 whereby tension exerted on the cord by any limb of a person applies an assistive or periodic impulse to the other limbs by said springs.

The line 22 is preferably formed of rope which is essentially inelastic, the stretch afforded by the exercise being provided by the springs rather than by the cord. However, the term substantially inelastic is used in a broad sense to include nylon cord having limited elasticity as distinct from rubber cord. The springs 15, 16, 17 can be changed for other springs of different length and strength. By exercise the springs offer counter-resistance which gives the characteristic essential of gymnastic exercise to the muscles of the body. Movements such as bending, stretching, and rotating the arms and feet, bending the body to the sides, backward, turning or rolling to the right or left, give resultant benefit of exercise with maximum effects and with minimum effort in a natural safe way.

The most significant characteristics of the exerciser according to the invention are adaptability in a broad degree of muscle stimulus from the most delicate beginning exercise in prone or supine position to energetic running in a large scope of graduation which enables the user of the exerciser to develop a series of new systematic training methods of exercise existent in coordinated cooperation of the power of the springs and the energy afforded by the muscles which is transmitted by the cord and pulleys in the desired ei'iectsfrom one limb to another whereby the exercising person performs at the same time active, assistive and resistive exercise anywhere and in any desired position or with the body suspended in air or floating in water, which is especially useful to methodically exercise injured or crippled limbs, in water exercise or as a device in educational or professional training,

- the exerciser Secured on his chest.

.line passes also over the upper corner pulleys 21 since to offer assistance to muscle action.

7 rehabilitating lower limbs 4 D which regulates with a self-controlled rhythm the functional active, assistive and resistive process of the muscle work and'the following rest pause of the body in a mannet and resulted effects which are possibly accomplished when the exercising means are used when attached to the FIGURE 10 is an enlarged detail illustrating the attachments of a stirrup 26 having straps 27 adapted to go under the sole and around the ankles and which are provided with buckles or other suitable securing means. From the straps 27 the stirrups are prolonged and attached to metallic fittings 28 consisting of two spur-like arms which are on both sides banded together in one piece, the outer bands having a vertical aperture with a shaft on which pulleys 29 are rotatably mounted. Each of the two fitting arms is provided with straps and buckles or other suitable securing means for attaching over the shinbones.

FIGURES 5 and 8 illustrate use of the exerciser with the person hanging face down or face up and since the person is sup-ported by the straps 7, 8, 10 passing around the trunk and over the shoulders there is complete freedom of movement of the arms and legs in all directions. For this purpose the base 1 is provided with a utility lifting member means consisting of slings or snap hooks 12 located near the corners and adapted to provide means to receive lines 13 to suspend the base from an overhead support as for example from a hook and ring 14. In FIGURE 8the'base is secured tothe chest of the person which is lifted and held at least partially from above the floor in substantially upright position preventing falling. The movements of the feet are assisted by the elimination of the body weight and by the yielding assistance of the springs 15, 16, 17, which are movably actuated by the cord having the ends adjustably fastened to the handgrips 23, the actuation relationship between the springs and the limbs being established by the pulley means 20, 21, 19, 29, in a manner in which a pull of any one of the limbs will exert a pull on the remaining limbs with a strength according to the power of said springs which will be distributed with equal balance by said pully means. I This type of exercise is. particularly u-seful for professional training as in acrobatic dancing to help the limbs perform movements of ,a difficult type.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a person lying on his back with In this case the arm movements are largely sideways and downwardly.

It will be seen that the strength of the arms can be used to lift one or bothlegs and'so to eliminate the weight of the exercised legs as a hindrance during the exercise ther assistance to muscle action by the new utility buoyant member. Hence this type of exercise is useful in which have been injured or crippled.

FIGURE 7 In combination the exerciser comprises a base 1 with pulley means 20, 21', and springs 15, 16, '17, with pulley means 19, foot stirrups 26 with pulley means 29, and .a cord 22 adjustably attachedto handgrip means 23,

24, 25, to movably actuate said springs and foot stirrups over said'pulleys, a buoyant means in said base, and

nation" can .be'arranged as a composite or non-composite base unit having the handgrips and stirrup elements cora- This type of exer illustrates another use of the exercise in water.- The buoyancy of the buoyant member 5 affords support-for the person using the exerciser either while floating or swimming and is an added safety feature.

bined by a cord, with said base unit further provided with a buoyant member and a lifting member means. The actuation relationship between the springs and the limbs with assistance to muscle action is further supplemented by the elimination of the body weight by the utility buoyant member and lifting member.

In FIGURE 11 there is shown another arrangement 'inwhich the handgrips and stirrups are connected to the springs with separate cords. In this case the cord 22a passes from one of the handgrips 23 over the lower frame corner pulley 20, and if desired also over the upper frame corner pulley 21, then over the pulley 19 on the side spring 15, over the pulley 31 in the middle of the lower portion of the frame, over the pulley 19 on the other side spring 17, over the other frame pulley Z9 and 21 respectively, and then to the other handgrip .23. The feet are connected from stirrups 26 with the cord 22b over pulley 19 to the intermediate spring 16. The springs 15, 16, 17 can be selected of diiferent strength. Still other connections of the stirrups, handles and springs by the cord or cords may be added as desired for the particular exercise to be performed.

What I claim and desire to be secured by Letters Patent 1. An exerciser comprising a generally rectangular U frame, a buoyant member and a lifting member on said passing successively through pulleys on one side of said frame, the pulley on a first one of said springs, the pulley on one of said stirrups, the pulley on the intermediate spring, the pulley on the other stirrup, the pulley on the third springand the pulleys on the other side of said frame, and handgrips on the ends of said cord, and further comprising means for varying the efiective length of said cord.

2. An exerciser comprising two substantially rectangular parallel frames, a panel of cellular floatation 'material in one .of said frames, means for securing said frames to the trunk of a person using the exerciser, a plurality of springs each having one end attached to the second frame and a pulley on the opposite end, a plurality of pulleys mounted on said second frame, apair of handgrips with knots, a pair of stirrups with pulleys, a cord with fittings for varying the'eifective" length, said cord connecting said handgrips stirrups, frames and springs by running'thro-ugh the fittings of said cord, through the knots of said hand'grip-s, through the pulleys of said r frame, through the pulleys of said springs and through the pulleys of said 'stirrups whereby tension exerted on said cord by any limb of said pcrsonapplies an assistive or periodicimpulse to the otherylimbs by said springs.

3. An exerciseracc'ordingto claim 2, in which said securing means comprises upper and lower straps attached to said frame and passing around the trunk of the user and 'bandsrattached to said frames, passing over 'the shoulders of said person, and adjustably receiving said upper strap in crossing relationship; 7

4. An exerciser according to claim 1, in whichsaid buoyant member comprises an inflatable rubber block, and a pad of pliable flotation material mounted in said T frame for hydrogymnastics.

- a lifting member means 12, :13, '14, on said baseto wsus- :pendsaid base fron -an overhead support This combi- 5. An exerciser according'lto claim 1, in which said lifting member comprises slings attached near 'the'cor- 11ers of said frame'and adapted to receiveflines to han up said frame and the parts thereon to an overhead hook and ring to lift and hold the user at ,leastpartially'from above the floor in'substantially upright position and keep him from falling. V

6. An exerciser comprising a generally rectangular frame, a buoyant member and a lifting member on said frame, means for securing said frame to the trunk of a person using the exerciser, three elongated springs, means releasably attaching one end of each of said springs to said frame at laterally spaced points near the upper end thereof, a pulley on the other end of each of said springs, a pair of laterally spaced pulleys mounted on said frame near the upper end thereof, three laterally spaced pulleys mounted on said frame near the lower end thereof, a pair of foot stirrups, a first cord passing successively through. one of said laterally spaced pulleys on one side of the frame, through the pulley on a first one of said springs, through the middle pulley near the bottom of said frame, the pulley on a second of said springs, and through one of said laterally spaced pulleys on the other side of said frame, and a second cord passing over a pulley on the third of said springs and connected at its ends to said stirrups.

7. An exerciser comprising, in combination, a base with means to attach said base to the trunk of the user, said base carrying pivots having pulleys thereon and springs having pulleys thereon, foot stirrups with pulleys, and an adjustable cord attached to handgrip means, said cord being passed over the pulleys of said base, the

pulleys of said springs, and the pulleys of said stirrups in such a manner that a pull of any one of the users limbs will exert a pull on the remaining limbs with a strength according to the power of said springs which will be distributed with equal balance by said pulleys and yieldingly cushioned by said springs.

8. The exerciser of claim 7 wherein a buoyant means is provided in said base.

9. The exerciser of claim 7 wherein means is provided for suspending said base from an overhead support.

10. The exerciser of claim 7 wherein buoyant means is provided in said base, and means is provided for suspending said base from an overhead support.

References Citedby the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 754,992 3/04 Grabner 272-83 821,783 5/06 Clease. 1,240,191 9/17 Fox 27283 1,329,660 2/20 Kaye 272-71 X 1,675,552 7/28 Hawxhurst 272 2,434,542 1/48 Borroughs 272-71 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

7. AN EXERCISER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A BASE WITH MEANS TO ATTACH SAID BASE TO THE TRUNK OF THE USER, SAID BASE CARRYING PIVOTS HAVING PULLEYS THEREON AND SPRINGS HAVING PULLEYS THEREON, FOOT STIRRUPS WITH PULLEYS, AND AN ADJUSTABLE CORD ATTACHED TO HANDGRIP MEANS, SAID CORD BEING PASSED OVER THE PULLEYS OF SAID BASE, THE PULLEYS OF SAID SPRINGS, AND THE PULLEYS OF SAID STIRRUPS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT A PULL OF ANY ONE OF THE USER''S LIMBS WILL EXERT A PULL ON THE REMAINING LIMBS WITH A STRENGTH ACCORDING TO THE POWER OF SAID SPRING WHICH 